The towering gates of Eryndral loomed before Kaelron and his companions as they crossed the final bridge over the Zaryth River. The capital of Lorentis stretched out like a labyrinth of stone and life, its spires piercing the cloudy sky. Bustling streets teemed with merchants, travelers, and city guards, while carriages rattled over cobblestones worn smooth by years of use.
Eryndral was as vast as Kaelron had imagined, but the weight of its scale settled heavily on his shoulders. Here, the cult's influence could hide easily among the masses, and the sheer size of the city made their task feel monumental.
"Welcome to Eryndral," Zerin said, grinning as he surveyed the chaotic streets. "City of intrigue, danger, and overpriced ale. Feels like home already."
Nyx, walking briskly ahead, glanced back at him. "Don't get too comfortable. We're not here to sightsee."
Kaelron adjusted his pack, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Do you think the Guild's branch here knows anything about the cult's activities?"
"They'll know something," Nyx replied. "The question is whether we can trust them to tell us the truth."
---
The group made their way through the winding streets, following Nyx's lead. The Tamer's Guild branch in Eryndral was a massive fortress-like structure at the heart of the city. Its stone walls were adorned with banners bearing the Guild's emblem—a golden paw print encircled by stars—and its towering gates were guarded by armored tamers with their beasts at their sides.
Inside, the air was cool and filled with the sound of hurried footsteps, rustling papers, and the occasional growl of a tamed beast. Tamers of all ranks moved through the halls, their uniforms varying from simple leather to ornate cloaks signifying higher ranks.
Nyx led the group to a large, circular chamber filled with maps, documents, and a raised platform for meetings. A stern-looking woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp green eyes greeted them.
"Lady Nyx," the woman said, her tone clipped. "I wasn't expecting you."
Nyx nodded. "This is Tasia Merrith, the Guildmaster of Eryndral," she said to the group before turning back to the woman. "We need your help, Tasia. The cult's influence is spreading, and we believe it's reached this city."
Tasia's expression darkened. "The Veilborn Order." She gestured for them to follow her into a private room.
In the quiet of Tasia's office, Nyx briefed her on their findings, including Councilor Lirra's betrayal and the cult's efforts to uncover the hidden shrines. Tasia listened intently, her hands clasped tightly on the desk.
"We've had whispers of strange activity in the city," Tasia admitted. "A few disappearances, reports of shadowy figures meeting in abandoned buildings. Nothing concrete—but enough to raise suspicion."
Kaelron frowned. "Do you think the Guild here has been compromised?"
Tasia hesitated, her gaze hardening. "I'd like to believe otherwise, but the Order is insidious. If they've infiltrated the council in Tharien's Gate, they could have sympathizers here as well. Be careful whom you trust, even within these walls."
---
After their meeting, the group split up to gather information. Nyx and Kaelron remained in the Guild, combing through reports and speaking with trusted tamers, while Zerin ventured into the city's bustling streets.
The thief blended seamlessly into the crowd, his sharp eyes and ears picking up snippets of conversation and subtle cues. After several hours of probing, he slipped into a tavern tucked away in a narrow alley. Its dim interior reeked of spilled ale and smoke, and the patrons cast wary glances at anyone who entered.
Zerin approached the barkeep, sliding a coin across the counter. "Looking for someone who knows things—discreetly."
The barkeep pocketed the coin and nodded toward a hooded figure in the corner. Zerin made his way over, his casual demeanor masking the tension in his movements.
"You're a bold one," the figure said, their voice low. "What do you want?"
"Information," Zerin replied, leaning back in his chair. "About the Veilborn Order."
The figure stiffened but didn't deny the connection. "You're playing a dangerous game, asking about them."
"Danger's my middle name," Zerin quipped. "What do you know?"
After a moment of silence, the figure spoke. "The cult has sympathizers in the Guild. They've been gathering information—maps, records, anything tied to ancient shrines or artifacts."
"Names?" Zerin pressed.
The figure shook their head. "No names. But there's a storage room in the Guild—third floor, eastern wing. That's where they've been stashing their findings. If you're looking for proof, you'll find it there."
Zerin stood, tossing another coin onto the table. "Pleasure doing business."
---
Zerin returned to the Guild just as Kaelron and Nyx were finishing their discussions with Tasia. Pulling them aside, he relayed what he had learned.
"A hidden storage room?" Nyx's eyes narrowed. "If this is true, we need to check it out immediately."
The group made their way to the eastern wing, careful to avoid drawing attention. The third floor was eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity absent.
Zerin gestured to a locked door at the end of the hallway. "This should be it."
Nyx stepped forward, pulling out a set of picks from her belt. "I'll handle this."
Kaelron blinked. "Since when do you know how to pick locks?"
Nyx smirked. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
Moments later, the lock clicked open, and the door swung inward to reveal a dimly lit room. Inside were rows of shelves filled with scrolls, maps, and sealed containers. At the center of the room was a table covered in documents, their edges marked with a familiar sigil—a black spiral encircled by runes.
"The cult's mark," Kaelron said grimly.
As the group searched the room, Zerin found a small, locked chest hidden beneath one of the shelves. He pried it open to reveal a single piece of parchment covered in cryptic symbols.
"It's coded," Nyx said, holding the parchment up to the light. "But this could be exactly what we need."
Tasia entered the room moments later, her expression a mix of anger and shock as she took in the evidence. "This confirms our fears. The Order has infiltrated us."
"We'll need to decode this message," Nyx said. "It might tell us their next move—or worse, their next target."
Kaelron clenched his fists. "We can't let them get any closer to finding the hidden shrines."
Tasia nodded. "I'll keep this room under lock and key until we've sorted this out. In the meantime, stay vigilant. If the Order has sympathizers here, they'll know we're onto them."
As the group left the storage room, Kaelron couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The halls of the Guild felt colder, the shadows deeper.
From a balcony overlooking the eastern wing, a figure cloaked in black observed their departure. The faint glow of violet eyes pierced the darkness as the figure turned and disappeared into the shadows.
The Veilborn Order was already one step ahead.